Welcome to Liverpool FC!

7.3.06

Liverpool is ready to beat Benfica in the Champions League

The current Champion is ready to face Benfica in a Champions League knockout match Wednesday, trailing 1-0 from last month's first leg. A Benfica shutout at Anfield will put Liverpool out of Europe's most prestigious club competition before the quarterfinals.

Even though the goal it conceded in Lisbon is the only one Liverpool has allowed in six matches, the five-time champion is struggling to score despite having Fowler, Fernando Morientes, Peter Crouch and Djibril Cisse in its squad.

In fact, Fowler hasn't scored in six games but has had two goals disallowed.

"I'd give anything to score the all-important goal on Wednesday," said the striker, one of the fans' all time favorites. "I've been here for five or six games and I don't think I or any of the strikers are getting much luck. I've had two goals taken away in the last minute. After seeing the replay of the one against Charlton on Saturday, it looked a bit harsh."

It's important to know that Liverpool's 0-0 with Charlton means it has scored more than once in one of its past 12 league and cup games, a 2-1 FA Cup victory over ailing Portsmouth. A 1-0 win over the Portuguese champion would a penalty shootout.

As we know, a lifelong Liverpool fan despite stints at Leeds and Manchester City, Fowler attended last season's 1-0 semifinal win over Chelsea. He's hoping for a similar atmosphere Wednesday to scare Benfica.